Odd and the Frost Giants

By Neil Gaiman

In this inventive, short, yet perfectly formed novel inspired by traditional Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman takes readers on a wild and magical trip to the land of giants and gods and back.

In a village in ancient Norway lives a boy named Odd, and he’s had some very bad luck: His father perished in a Viking expedition; a tree fell on and shattered his leg; the endless freezing winter is making villagers dangerously grumpy.
Out in the forest Odd encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle—three creatures with a strange story to tell.
Now Odd is forced on a stranger journey than he had imagined—a journey to save Asgard, city of the gods, from the Frost Giants who have invaded it.
It’s going to take a very special kind of twelve-year-old boy to outwit the Frost Giants, restore peace to the city of gods, and end the long winter.
Someone cheerful and infuriating and clever…

Someone just like Odd.

 

The more I read from Neil Gaiman the more I like his style. This particular short story felt like it could be included in the old Norse mythologies and read much like those said stories. I love mythology and so of course loved this book. Odd was fantastic, relatable, and courageous.  It was fun to see the gods Odin, Thor, and Loki in such an interesting situation, and kids will enjoy this book and know these characters from the recent Avengers and Thor movies of past years. I think every kid would enjoy reading this; it’s short and has fantastic illustrations.  I hope to add it to my own library soon.

 

I give it a 4.25 out of 5